Dispensing device for filling grease guns and the like



Sept. 17, 1940. p, SU'NDHQL 2,214,779

DISPENSING DEVICE FOR FILLING" GREASE GUNS AND THE LIKE Filed Oct. 21', 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet l I INVENTQR.

Sept 17, 19 0- E; P. SUNDHOLM' DISPENSING DEVICE FOR FILLING GREASE GUNS AND THE LIKE Filed 001:. '21, 1938 '4-Shet s-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. Stu-($ 10611 TTORNEY.

Sept. 17, 1940.

E. P. SUNDHQLM DISPENSING DEVICE FOR FILLING Gyms; GUI S AND THE LIKE Filed Oct. 21, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. BY fdwz'nP sunc'flzb/m Patented Sept. 17, 1940 DISPENSING DEVICE FOR FILLING GREASE GUNS AND THE LIKE Edwin P. Sundholm, Albert City, Iowa Application October 21, 1938', Serial No. 236,281

26 -Claims.

The present invention relates to a gun-filling dispensing-container for use as an original vendable-package unit for more or lessviscous fluids such as the various grades of greases or the like,

whereby more or less viscous fluids may be more readily and more eificiently dispensed from the original vendable container'um't, and the present invention relates more particularly to dispensing containers for shipping and/or storing relatively large supplies (that is, 10, 25, 40, 50,.75, 100 or more pounds) of grease or' similar more or less viscous fluids, and having means whereby, and being so arranged that the viscous-fluid content of such dispensing-container may be filled or dispensed directly into the tubular reservoirs or socalled barrels of grease guns and like applicatnrs used for the ultimate distribution and dis-. pensing of greases or other viscous fluids, without the necessity of ladling out or otherwise first removing thegrease from the dispensing-container by extraneous means; the tubular reservoir or so-called barrel of the conventional grease gun or like applicator or ultimate dispenser being used directly for withdrawing the grease or other viscous-fluid-content of the dispensing-container of the present invention by means of suction created within such conventional barrel, which suction serves to effect or to stimulate or accentuate the flow of the viscousfluid content of 'the dispensing-container of the present invention.

One of the difficulties long experienced in filling grease guns with grease from original containers, such as drums or buckets, is that the lid of such grease-drum or grease-bucket must first be removed in order to give access to the grease, and the lid is frequently not replaced on the drum or bucket and often cannot be replaced so as to exclude dirt, because in 40 drum the rim of the lid is generally damaged and distorted. These grease-drums or grease-buckets are used in garages, farms and places where all kinds of foreign matter, such as leaves, dirt, grit and dirty water frequently get into the drum or bucket and on top of the grease. One customary way of-ifllling grease guns has been to ladle or scoop out the grease with a paddle of wood or the like and then ladle it. into the grease-gun barrel with a similar manual operation; while 50 another customary way of filling grease guns has been tosubmerge the grease-reservoir or so-called' barrel? of the grease gun into the drum or bucket of grease and then to pull the rod or handle of the grease-gim follower-piston back so as to suck the grease into prying the lid off the end of the cylindrical the grease-gun barrel as in Patent No. 1,377,023.

This type of operation has ing dirt into the grease-drum v the grease-gun reservoir or and also of getting a dual effect of carryor grease-bucket barrel smeared with grease on the outside.

One of the objects of the eliminate the above noted ing an original tainer on which intact, without ever disturbing .110 foreign matter can get into that only fresh and clean grease so that the grease gun itself or rendered inoperative by u to the grease gun, may not become foul present invention is to objections by providvendable grease-dispensing conthe lid may be left substantially the same, so that the grease and so can be furnished dirty and grit-contaminatedgrease.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a grease container,

which may indeed be the original container or package in which the grease is shipped and sold, or which may be an intermediate container into which the grease is 0 placed from the original (container of my present ranged that the grease ,may

package, and which invention) is so arbe covered at all times so as to keep it clean, and that it may bewithdrawn from time to time in relatively small- 25 er quantities directly into the grease reservoir barrel portion or of the conventional grease gun or the like without the necessity of separately handling the grease.

A further object of the present inventionis to 30 provide a grease container from which substantially of the character stated all the grease may be completely removed so that there is no waste of grease.

A further 0 provide a conventionalgrease grease container to ally cylindrical grease reservoir or guns may be screwject of the present invention is to. 3

which the generfbarrel of the threadedly or otherwise detachably secured in a quick and easy manner, so that by withdrawing the fol- 40 lower piston in said grease reservoir or barre of the conventional grease gun, said grease reservoir or barrel will fresh supply of grease ing the subject matter With the above and phase of the erally upright and preferably cylindrical dispensing container formed of sheet -metal or other thin,

form-retaining sheet material and capable of other more or less viscous containing a substantial quantity of grease or fluid, as for instance,

.\ 10, 25, 50, or pounds or more, and preferably having a freely floating piston-like follower-plate therein adapted to rest on the top of. the body 01 ll struction, all of which the viscpus fluid and to ride. downwardlyon the" top surface of the fiuld, a suction-receiving socket" suctional end of the cylindrical reservoir or "barre of the conventional type grease gun or like applicator or ultimate dispenser and for mak-' ing a fluid-seal therewith, bottom of the container and a conduit communicating with said aperture and said socket for conveying the fluid from said container to said socket, and means for spacing the bottom of said container above the floor level or supporting surface upon which the container is to, r'estg s ufliciently to clear said passageway and said suctionreceiv-ing socket.

Another phase of consists of certain novel principles, features and details of construction, in a viscous-fluid dispensing container of thekind indicated, whereby the objectives hereinabove.set forth may be attained in a practical, durable and eficient form ata cost of such fluid-dispensing container as an original single-trip container, namely, one which the manufacturer or supplier or grease can afford to tainer from his vendees for refund.

The present invention may further include certain other novel features and details of con-. I will appear more fully from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

in shown and described.

Referring to the drawings in which like reference characters indicate like parts,

Figure 2 represents a section generally on line 22 of Figure 1.

' Figure 3 represents-a section generally on line 33 of Figure 1. I

Figure 4 represents a section similar to' that shown in Figure 2 illustrating a modified form of construction embodying the present invention.

line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 represents a fragmentary section of one form of construction for the attachment of the gun-receiving socket to the side-wall of the lubricant-reservoir, illustratinga further modified'form .of construction in respect to this phasg Figure 7 represents a. fragmentary section 0 line 1 of Figure .4 illustrating a further alternative i'orm of constructionembodying thepresent invention, wherein a weak'leaf-spring type check-valve is placed beneath the central opene ing in the bottom to restrain free fiow of grease when the device is not being actually operated.

Figured represents a vertical section of the? 01' construction.

the present invention also I lindrical grease reservoir or Figure 5 represents afragmentary section on grease dispensing device embodying the present invention, showing a still further modified form in the internal shut-ofl phase of the invention.

Figure 9 represents lustrating a-further tion in the shut-oil tion.

tional view similar to that shown in Figure '1, illustrating, however, an upwardly inclined gun-receiving socket and also showing, in cross-section, the form of shut ofi illustrated in Figure 9'.

Figure 11 represents another modified i'ormv of grease dispensing device embodying the present invention, including an outwardly flared upper zone on the cylindrical body of the grease-dispensingpcontainer of follower plate. t.

Figure 12 represents a top plan view of a-follower plate of a modified form of construction.

a Figure 13 represents a side elevational view of thesame. f

Figure 14 represents a top planview of a follower plate of still another modified form of construction.

Figure 15 represents a side elevational view of the same.

Figure 16 represents a perspective view of a gun adapter. v

Figure l'l'represents a cross-sectional view of another form of gun adapter.

Figure 18 represents a top' plan view of a grease-dispensing container embodying the pres-' ent invention, but showing a modified form of construction, with a part of the plate 'over the bottom passageway broken away.

Figure 19 regresents a front elevational view of the same wit away. Figure 20 represents a fragmentary section-on line 20-20 of Figure 19, on an enlarged scale.

Figure 21 represents a section on Figure 19, on an enlarged scale.

Figure 22 represents a fragmentary section on line 2222 of Figure 1 8.

Figure 23 represents a section of a modified form of adapter.

(either manually actuated orpneumiatically or electricallyaetfiafted) in which the generally cys'o-called barrel" of barrePis refilled from time to time by unscrewfrom it the high-presgrease gun (which is ing or otherwise detaching sure pump portion of the I sometimes referred to as the "head or high-presjsure "head of the grease gun) merging the thmopened end 'or free endof the piston in said gun barrel by a suitable piston-rod or pull rod or chain so as to suck said gun barrel this general type may be exemplified by the grease guns shown in United States Patents N05.

and showing a modified formand then sub-' Figure 10 represents a fragmentary crosssec-' the top part of thed'evice broken tended 1,587,597, 1,692,423, 1,696,606, 1,619,126, 1,377,023, 1,790,914, 1,894,274, and 1,926,398.

The grease-dispensing container of the present invention includes a generally cylindrical body 5 of suitable diameter and height to provide the desired volumetric capacity, and a bottom 6 having an opening 1 preferably centrally thereof. For instance, for. an effective twenty-five pound capacity the diameter of ten inches and a height of twelveinches is suitable, and so on.

The entire container may be formed of sheet metal, preferably suitable sheet steel such as is used for steel drums, and of a suitable gauge according to the size of the container. The thicknesses shown in the drawings are exaggerated for purposes of more ready illustration. Other thin form-retaining sheet-materials may be used.

The bottom 6 is preferably formed with a flange 8 of suitable depth to clear the lateral conduit 9 and gun-receiving socket 10 which will be described more fully hereinafter, thus forming a downwardly cupped member or inverted cupshaped member. The flange 8 of the inverted cup-like bottom is of an external diameter such as to telescope into the lower end of the cylindrical body 5 and is preferably drawn from the same sheet of metal as that of which the bottom 6 is formed, as for instance, by being drawn in a die on a suitable press, or by any other suitable drawing or forming operation. The flange 8 is then turned and folded and crimped or doubleseamed along with the lower peripheral edge of the cylindrical body 5, to form a crimped and interlapping bead-like seam or double-seam? II with the lower peripheral edge of the cylindrical body 5, which seam thus unites the flange 8 with the corresponding lower portion of the cylindrical body 5, and which, at the same time, secures the bottom 6 permanently in place in fluid-sealed relation to the body 5. The bottom 6 may also be held in place ina raised position by other means, as for instance, by welding it in place to the sidewall of the body 5 or by forming an outwardly pressed slight annular or peripheral groove in the body 5 at a suitable height above the lower extremity thereof into which the outer marginal portion of the bottom 6 may extend, to be held in place thereby. Likewise, the bottom 6 may have but a short downwardly extending flange which may be spot-welded to the side of the body 5.

The generally upright body 5 need not necessarily be cylindrical in shape or circular in horizontal cross-section, but may also be polygonal in horizontal cross-section, although the generally cylindrical form is preferable.

The portion of the body 5 which is below the bottom 6 need not, be continuous in its circu'mference, but may be cut out in parts to form a discontinuous lower extremity. Thus, for in stance, three, four or more portions of the body 5 may be left projecting below the bottom 6 for the purpose of spacing the bottom 6 at a suitable distance above the lower extremity of the body.

The transverse conduit 9 may be formed by welding, spot-welding or otherwise securing it to the undersurface of the bottom 6, in communication with the opening continuous but enclosed passageway communicating with the'interior of the container through the opening 1 and extending to the flange 8 of the bottom. Openings l2 and 13 may be exlindrical' body 5' of the container in registration or general alignment with the cross-section of the conduit 9, so astoform a passageway in con- 1 therein, so as 'to form a through the flange I and through the cytinuation thereof. To the outside surface of the cylindrical body 5 of the container, the gun-receiving socket I is secured, also having a similar opening H in registration or general alignment with the openings 12 and I3 and with the conduit 9. The socket I0 is provided with a generally cylindrical flange l which is adapted telescopically to receive (either internally or externally) the suctional end of a suction-filling barrel of an ultimate fluid-dispenser, and may be internally screw-threaded as indicated at I6, to receive the externally screw-threaded ends ll of the cylindrical reservoirs or barrels l8 of conventional grease guns or the like, or may be externally threaded or maybe provided with bayonet catch.

Within the cylindrical body 5 of the dispensingcontainer of the present invention, a freely floating piston-like follower plate I9 is provided in operative relation to the interior diameter of said cylindrical body 5. The follower may be provided with an upturned flange 20 of suitable axial depth to afford some (more or less) guidance to the follower 19 so as to tend to prevent angularity or cocking.

By making the upturned flange 20 comparative- 1y slight, or by fitting the follower IS in the cylindrical body 5 with a substantial clearance, or

by both, the free-floating follower-plate l9 can be given full freedom for tilting or cooking.

By so arranging the follower-plate in relation to the cylindrical body or reservoir 5, as to permit free cooking or tilting, the follower-plate may tilt to a suitable extent as it rests and floatson top of the body of grease, so that if the container or reservoir wall 5 should become dented in shipping or handling, or in storage orin actual use, any slight dent willnot jam the followerplate and will not prevent the follower-plate from traveling down to the bottom of the container.

' Thus, when one part of the periphery of the follower-plate is obstructed or engaged by an inward dent inthe reservoir wall, the part of the follower-plate which is so engaged is held in place temporarily by the dent in the wall, while the diametrically opposite part of the plate follows down with the grease body; which grease body thereby temporarily acquires a slanting upper surface. This tilting of the followervplate, and the corresponding inclination of the upper surface of the grease continues as the body of grease is gradually exhausted or withdrawn, until the minor axis of the (then elliptical) vertical projection of the thus inclined follower-plate becomes less than the horizontal diametral distance across the container at the point of maximum indentation.

reached, the engaged peripheral point of the follower-plate will gradually pass by the indentation in the reservoir or container wall. After it has so passed the indentation, the follower-plate will again straighten out into a horizontal position, because of the natural tendency of the more or less viscous fluid body to level out under the force of gravity.

4 Radial reinforcing ribs 2| may be pressed into the follower l9 so as to stiffen the follower plate 19. The ribs 2| are preferably decreased in height from the center towards the periphery as indicated in Figure 1. Three,four or more such radial ribs may be provided; four being indicated in the drawing of Figure 1. Any suitable (conventional) handle may also be provided on the follower l! for readily raising the follower out of When this inclination is after it has been completely exhausted.

A lid- 22 either fitting loosely over, or more or less frictionally telescoped into the top or over the 7 top of the body is also preferably provided for generally excluding dirt and water from within the container. The lid 22 may also be crimped or otherwise aflixed to the upper end of the cylindrical body 5. The lid 22 is preferably provided with a screw-threaded vent hole into which a screw 24 may be threaded. The lid 22 may also be provided with a central raised portion 23 which is pressed out of the sheet-metal of the lid and in which the vent hole is placed for receiving the screw 24. the screw 24, a vent is provided at the top through which air may enter at the top of the container as grease is withdrawn from the bottom of the container, so as always to maintain normal .at-

mospheric pressure within the container. The

upper periphery of the body 5 may also be suitable beaded or flared as indicated at 25, thereby to reinforce or stifien the upper periphery of the container. I

By raising the central portion of the lid 23,

any rain or water which may tend to collect on tain the central opening 1 as indicated in Figures the top of the lid 22 is diverted from the vent opening in the top of the container so as to be excluded from the interior of the container.

If desired, the transverse bottom conduit 9,

may also be formed by pressing suitable channelof the bottom 6 of the device, but integrally therewith, and then superimposing a fiat plate 21 over said depression 26 and spot-welding it, fusingit, soldering it, or otherwise securing it to the bottom 6 along the marginal zone around the depression 26. In this form of construction, the fiat plate 21 may conshaped depression 26 out center but spaced inwardly from the side-wall 5 of the device.

The transverse cross-sectional or effective. area of the conduits ,9 (Figures 1, 3, 5, 8, 11 and 19) is substantially less than the cross-sectional area of the gun-receiving portions of the sockets l9 and 55 and is preferably of a relatively shallow cross-sectional contour. The reduced cross-sec- .tional area and the length of the conduits 9,

aiiord suitable resistance to the fio of fluid, so

as to prevent, or to slow down the free flow of section, and preferably asymmetric with respect grease when the gun barrel I8 is removed from the gun-receiving socket. This resistance to flow will either eliminate all free flow or will minimize it to such an extent as to permit the leisurely insertion of the plugs 40 or 13 into the gun-receiving sockets ID or 65 after the gun barrell8 has been removed, without any undue drippage or loss of grease. Thus, by reducing the crosssectional area of the conduit 9 substantially below the cross-sectional area of the gun-receiving portion of the socket, and indeed substantially below one-half of the cross-sectional area of the socket as indicated particularly in Figures 3, 5, and 9, resistance is interposed to the free flow of the normally viscous grease. This reduction in crosssectional area may then further be augmented and accentuated by the length. of the conduit.

By also :making the passageways or conduits 9 generally flat or of generally non-circular cross to the gun-receiving socket, as indicated in Figures 3, 5, l9 and 22, the surface friction exerted upon the grease in the passageway 9 is further By removing or partly raising .means of a generally annular eyelet or grommet 28 page or drainage'of grease when the device is not venience in showing the spring in place.

. and 10.

The socket It may either be of cast metal or it maybe pressed sheet-metal, formed by customary and suitable stamping or die-forming operations. In Figures 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 18, 19, and 21, the socket is shown as being formed of sheet metal, although, as stated, these sockets may also be formed of cast metal or other material.

Any of the sockets in may be turned upwardly at any suitable angle as indicated in Figure 10, so that the cylindrical grease reservoir or barrel l8 of the conventional grease gun may be applied thereto more conveniently by the operator, particularly in the case where the dispensing device of the present invention may be of a large size which would normally stand on the floor, although this upturned socket may also be used on smaller devices embodying the present invention. j

Thesocket I ll may be applied to the cylindrical body 5 by a crimped sealing junction by clamped or crimped over around the aligned openings I3and l4 in the cylindrical wall 5 and in the bottom of the socket ID, as indicated more particularly in Figure 6. An inner member 29 may serve to provide a flat seat for the resilient sealing gasket 30.

. In Figure 8, a form of construction is shown in which a valve disc 3| is provided over the bottom opening 1. The shut-ofi disc 3| maybe carried by a vertical rod 32 and may be welded thereto as indicated at 33. The rod 32 may extend freely through the opening 34 in the top 22 and through a corresponding opening 35 in the follower plate l9, and may have its bpttom end 36 freely pivoted in a similar aligned opening 3! in the plate or spring clip 38 at the top ofthe rod-32 and extending either through a hole therein or being held in notches therein, may serve to keep the rod in place. A transverse handle portion 39 of the rod 32 serves to turn'the shut-off disc 3|. This will serve to prevent free drippage of grease when the device is not in'use (when the grease is either one of inherently low viscosity or is rendered less viscous by high temperature). If desired also, a screw-threaded cap 40 may also be provided to be screwed into any of the sockets l0 when not in use.

In Figure '7, an alternative form of construction is shown in which a thin, weak, leaf-spring 4| is secured beneath the opening I at one end thereof, as at 'the point 42, soas to' act as a weak spring check'valve tofree-dripin use. -The spring 42 is shown in the drawings of a comparative thickness greater than what it would normally have, but this is done merely for purposes of illustration and for the greatercon- ,7

' or storage.

In Figures 9 and 10 a semi-circular shut-off disc 43 is shown, carried by and secured to a pivot pin 44 having a slot 45 in its outer end, for receiving a screw-driver or any thin flat object. The shut-off disc 43 may be held in place by meansof the pivot pin in any one of the forms of socket shown, as for instance by being fastened to the gasket-supporting member 29. By turning the disc 43 by means of the screw-driver or any thin fiat object, the disc 43 can be brought over the open ng 46 in the gasket-supporting member 29 so as, o shut off the free flow of grease and can then again be turned away to permit the free flow.

Any of the shut-off means herein shown may be used whenever grease of a more or less fluid Character is used orin climates where, grease tends to become more fluid or less viscous.

In Figure 11, a modified form of construction is shown wherein a small top portion of the cylindrical body 5 is flared outwardly slightly as at 48, in the form of a truncated cone, but preferably only at a very slight angle as generally indicated.

The follower plate l9 may be secured to the lid 22 by means of the screw 24 in the manner indicated in Figure 11. Thus, in this phase of the present invention, the raised portion 23 of the lid 22 may be offset in respect to the center of the lid. The follower 19 may be provided with a similar raised portion 49 either centrally, or offset as in Figure 11; which may be provided with a screw-threaded opening into which the end of the screw 24 may be threaded for holding the follower tightly against the lid 22 while in transit A small flanged disc 50 may be frictionally pressed into the raised portion 49 of the follower piston l9, so as to close the space and to prevent venting through the screw-threaded opening therein and so as also to produce a generally continuous flat bottom for the follower piston l9.

By the means hereinabove last described and shown in the accompanying drawings hereinabove referred to, the follower plate [9 may be held tightly against the friction top or lid 22, during shipment or storage of the can or drum of grease, so that if the drum is laid on its side or turned upside down, the grease will not get behind the follower-plate or piston l9. When it is desired to use the drum of grease, it is merely necessary to set up the drum of grease in vertical position with its top up, as in Figure 11, and to unscrew the screw 24, so as to drop the follower piston or plate 19 onto the top surface 5| of the grease. The container is not 'fllled entirely with grease but an empty space is left at the top from about the point where the side-wall 5 starts to flare outwardly. I

The follower piston or by unscrewing the screw 24 rests flat on the top of the body of grease and gradually adjusts or centers itself into the cylindrical body 5.-

VVhile the disc 50 closes up what would otherwise be a vent opening in the follower-plate or piston l9, yet the friction cover or lid 22 becomes vented through the opening through which the screw 24 passes (that is, just as soon as the screw 24 is unscrewed). For this reason, the entire original package of grease, in the form of a drum, may be used without ever substantially uncovering the grease and withoutever'doing anything more than unscrewing the screw 24 and then repeatedly applying the suctional reservoir 'porplate I9, thus releasedtion or barrel of the grease gun or the like to the socket 10 thereof. 1

By reason of the outward flaring at 4B, the grease-dispensing device of this embodiment of the present invention may also be stacked in vertical groups, that is, one on top of the other, be-

cause the bottom of one will fit into the top of the one beneath it. By reason of the fact that the raised portion 23 is offset from the center, it will not interfere with the downwardly extending conduit 9 at the bottom of the drum above it.

I may also provide bushings such as that shown in Figures 16 and 17 and also shown in Figure 11, for adapting a socket H] of one predetermined size, to any one of a variety of different sizes of grease-gun barrels or the like.

Thus, as the re-fill ends 16 of the cylindrical grease reservoirs or barrels 18 of grease guns vary both in diameter as well as in size of thread and the location of the thread, that is, internal and external, bushings 56 and 51 are provided, each having a thread .56 for exerting or for coacting with the gun-receiving socket IU of the greasedispensing container and having another thread, as for instance, the internal thread 59 or the external thread 60, for receiving the refill end of the cylindrical grease reservoir or barrel l8 of the grease gun. Either of these two adapters 56 and 51 is provided with external means such as the knurled or serrated flange or spoked flange 6|, wherebythe adapter may be readily applied a to the gun-receiving socket ID or removed therefrom.

The adapter 56 is adapted for the barrels l8 of grease guns having a smallerexternal thread than what would correspond to the internal thread of the socket l0, while the adapter 51 .is for barrels l8 of grease guns having external threads at the re-fill ends thereof. Each of the adapters 56 and 51 is provided with means for receiving and retaining a sealing gasket 62, said means including an axial supporting surface and also a radial supporting surface as indicated in the drawings. r

In Figures 12, 13, 14 and 15, a modified form of follower piston construction is shown, wherein the upturned flange portion 52, which corresponds to the flange 20 hereinabove described, is

notched at points uniformly spaced around its periphery as at 53, and wherein the upturned portion 52 is turned up at a slight angle as for instance, about 15 (more or less). By making the follower plate or piston IQ of comparatively thin sheet metal, the portions 52 will be slightly resilient in a radial direction. In Figures 14 and 15, a modified form of construction is shown in which still thinner leafspring portions 54 are either spot-welded or riveted to the disc l9 for the same purpose.

By spacing the members 54 more or less closely and uniformly around the circumference, and making them out of sufficiently thin spring metal, in relation to the comparatively thicker metal of the disc IS, a contact may be maintained with the cylindrical side wall 5 of the grease drum even though the grease drum may occasionally be slightly dented and at the same time the grease is wiped down the sides of the grease drum as the follower plate passes down as the grease is emptied.

The forms of construction last above described also-help to prevent the follower plate or pistonin the device shown in Figures 1,

by the aforesaid socket to reservoir (as indicated sealing seam between the tend to prevent the around the edges.

The modified form of construction shown in Figures 12 to 15, inclusive, while especially useful grease from working up By reason of its relatively loose fit or by reason of the resiliency of the members 52 and 54, and

Thus, as the side-walls of drums of grease are sometimes slightly dented during shipping or while being handled in storage or while in use, such indentations tend tointerfere with the passage ofthe follower piston or plate I9. This interference is avoided (within limits of denting) tilting of the plate I 9. If desired, instead of the second thread on the adapters of Figures 16 and 17, a bayonet catch may be provided forcreceiving the re-fill ends of grease guns having bayonet-catch means at their suction-fill ends. I

In Figures 18 to 20 inclusive, a modified form of construction is shown wherein the cylindrical side wall 5 of the lubricant-dispensing device is pressedfout, as at 63, over a generally circular 64 of the boss 63 protruding from the side-wall 5 of the grease-dispensing device and is then flared or crimped over as at '69, to form an an- By thiscombination of a crimped or interiolded sealing seambetween gun-receiving-socket and reservoir and spot-welded securement of gun-receivingparticularly in Figures wand 21), the crimped or interlapped gun-receiving-socket and reservoir is substantially relieved of all external stress or strain incident to external impact on the gun-receiving-socket or on the reservoir, or incident to any slight bending or twisting or deformation of the side wall of the reservoir. Thus, in this phase of the present invention the spot-welded securement between gun-receivingsocket and reservoir takesall or substantially all side-wall 5 of the device Thus, the follower be considered in all seam. I In this manner the gun-receiving-socket may be supported on the reservoir with a crimped 'or interlapped sealing seam having a periphery stantially less than the cross-sectional area of the I suction-receiving socket, and .indeed,- even substantially less than one-half of the cross-sectional area of the suction-receiving-socket.

In this form of construction, the passageway 9 may be'formed in a manner similar to that shown in Figures 4 to 10 inclusive,'by pressing the channel 26 out of the bottom 6 and spot-welding the torrplate 21 over the channel 26, and also to the as at 12.

, This form of construction eliminates the'need for the gasket supporting member 29 shown in Figures 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10, because the inner wall of the gun-receiving socket is flat.

A closure member 13 may also be formed of sheet metal, as indicated in Figure 2 0, with a transverse channel 14 pressed outwardly therefrom to act as a finger grip by which the plug can be screwed into the sockets ill or or unscrewed therefrom.

In Figure 23, a modified form of adapter is shown, for accommodating grease guns of larger diameter than that of the diameter of the socket.

This form of adapter is also preferably pressed portion intermediate the two cylindrical por-;

which the end of the grease-gun barrel i8 may seal.

By reason of the attachment or secureinent of the sockets Illand to the outer surface or wall of the sheet-metal receiving socket on bodyand extending outwardly thereof, without any obstruction on the inside of the container tending to interfere with the full travel of the follower plate l9 to the bottom 8. plate I9 may pass downwardly below the level of the uppermost point of the socket ilhor 65 without being interfered by such socket or by its supporting means. I

The present--inv ention-may be embodied in othenspecific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is .therefore desired that the present embodiments not restrictive, reference being had to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate by Letters Patent. is:!

1. A dispensing device suitable for filling grease guns and the like at-v to screw into the sockets ID or respects as illustrative and; I

, erally upright sheet-metal reservoir body of generally uniform horizontal cross-sectional area throughout the major portion of its vertical extent, a sheet-metal bottom raised sufiiciently above the lowermost extremity of said body to afford a space therebeneath for a lateral passageway, a free-floating piston-like follower operatively disposed within said generally upright body and capable of rectilinear co-axial displacement downwardly within said body without rotation relative thereto, sheet-metal top closure means crimped to the upper end of said body, an aperture through said sheet-metal bottom, spaced inwardly from the side-walls of said body, a suction-receiving socket associated with the side-wall of said body, adapted telescopically to receive a suction-filli g barrel of another dispensing device such as the suction-filling barrel of a grease gun or the like, and having means for making a relatively fluid-tight seal therewith, arid a lateral passageway operatively interconnecting said socket with said aperture in the bottom, having at least the major part of its transverse cross-section disposed beneath said bottom.

2'. A dispensing device suitable for filling grease guns and the like and suitable for use as an original vendable merchandizing package unit for containing more or less viscous fluids in transit and storage and for thereafter dispensing the same, comprising a generally upright reservoir body of thin form-retaining sheet material, a bottom near the lower end of said body formed of a thin form-retaining sheet material, an aperture through the side wall of said body, and an upwardly inclined suction-receiving socket associatedwith the side wall of said body and communicating with said aperture, adapted telescopically to' receive a suction-filling barrel of another dispensing device such as the suctionfilling barrel of a grease gun or the like, and having means for making a relatively fluid-tight seal therewith, whereby said barrel may be filled suctionally while in an upwardly inclined position.

3. A dispensing device suitable for filling'grease guns and the like and suitable for use as an original vendable merc'handizing package unit for containing more or less viscous fluids in transit I and storage and for thereafter dispensing the same, comprising a generally upright reservoir body of thin form-retaining sheet material, a bottom near the lower end of said body formed of a thin form-retaining sheet material, an aperturethrough the side wall of said body, and an upwardly inclined suction-receiving socket associated with the side wall of said body and communicating with said aperture, adapted telescopically to receive a suction-filling barrel of another dispensing device such as the suction-filling barrel of a grease gun or the like, and having means for making a relatively fluid-tight seal therewith, whereby said barrel maybe filled suctionally While in an upwardly inclined position, and shut-ofi -means associated with said upwardly-inclined socket.

4. A dispensing device suitable for filling grease guns and the like and suitable for use as an original vendable merchandising package unit. for containing more or less viscous greases and like fluids in transit and-storage and for thereafter dispensing the same, including a reservoir body having side-wall and bottom formed of thin;

form-retaining sheet material, .a suction-receiv- .mg socket associated with thekside-wall of said generally exteriorly of said side-wall, a passageway extending through the side-wall of said reservoir and establishing communication between 'said suction-receiving socket and the interior of said reservoir, said passageway having an effective cross-sectional area substantially less than the cross-sectional area of said suction-receiving socket ,and sealing means in said suction-receiving socket for making a seal with the end portion of the suction-producing means which may be applied to said socket.

5. A dispensing device suitable for filling grease guns and the like and suitable for use as an original vendable merchandising package unit for containing more or less viscous greases and like fluids in transit and storage and for thereafter dispensing the same, including a reservoir body having side-wall and bottom formed of thin, form-retaining sheet-material, a follower adapted to travel on the top surface of the fluid content of said reservoir body and adapted to travel to the bottom thereof, a suction-receiving socket associated with the side-wall of said reservoir body near the bottom thereof in operative relation to said follower, and a constricted passagethan the cross-sectional area of said suctionreceiving socket.

6. A dispensing device suitable for filling grease 1 guns and the like and suitable for use as'an original vendable merchandising package unit for containing more or less viscous greases and like fluids in transit and storage and for thereafter dispensing the same, including a reservoir body having side-wall and bottom formed of relatively thin and more or less form-retaining sheetmetal, a follower adapted to travel on the top surface of the fluid content of said reservoir body and adapted to travel to the bottom thereof, a suction-receiving socket associated with the side- ,wall of said reservoir body near the bottom thereof in operative relation to said follower, and a constricted elongated lateral conduit extending through the side-wall of said reservoir and disposed asymmetrically with respect to said suction-receiving socket and establishing communication between said suction-receiving socket and the interior of said reservoir, said passageway having an effective cross-sectional area substantially less than the cross-sectional area of said suction-receiving socket.

'3 7. A dispensing device suitable for filling grease guns and the like and suitable for use as an original vendable merchandising package unit for containing more or less viscous greases and like fluids in transit and'storage and for thereafter dispensing th same, comprising a reserwith the side-wall of said reservoir body near the bottom thereof, a passageway generally beneath the level-of said bottom establishing communication between said suction receiving socket and said reservoir, said passageway having a generally' shallow cross-sectional contour, whose vertical dimension is less than the diameter of said suction-receiving socket.

8. A dispensing device suitable for filling grease guns and the like and suitable for use 'as'an original vendable merchandising package unit for containing more or less viscous greases and like fluids in transit and storage and for thereafter dispensing the same, comprising a reservoir body including side-wall and bottom formed of thin, form-retainingsheet-material, a suctionreceiving socket associated with the side-wall of said reservoir body near the bottom thereof, and a passageway generally beneath said bottom pressed out of the bottom sheet and communi cating with said socket, and a separate thin-sheet cover plate over a portion of said downwardly pressed-out passageway and with its marginal portions overlapping the adjacent upper surface of said bottom.

9. A dispensing device suitable for filling grease guns and the like and suitable for use as an original vendable merchandising package unit for containing more or less'vis'cous greases and like fluids in transit and storage and for thereafter dispensing the same, comprising a sheetmetal reservoir body including side-wall and bottom, an integral boss pressed outwardly from said side-wall in the zone of said bottom, a suction-receiving socket secured to said boss, and a passageway through said boss, forming fluidcommunication between said suction-receiving socket and the interior of said reservoir and a follower within said reservoir operatively related to said suction-receiving socket and adapted to travel to the bottom.

10. A dispensing device suitable for filling grease guns andthelike and suitable for use-as an original vendable merchandising package unit for containing more or less viscous greases and 'like fluids in transit and storage and for thereafter dispensing the same, comprising a sheetmetal reservoir body including side-wall and. bottom, an integral boss pressed outwardly from said side-wall in the zone of said bottom, with a part thereof above and a part thereof below the level of said bottom, a follower-plate in said reservoir adapted to travel from top to bottom, a suctionreceiving socket secured to said boss, and a passageway through said boss forming a communication between said socket, and the interior of said reservoir.

11. A dispensing device suitable for filling grease guns and the like and suitable for use as an original vendable merchandising package unit for containing more or less viscous greases and like fluids in transit and storage and for there;-

after dispensing the same, including a reservoir body having side-wall and bottom formed of thin, suction-receiv-' form-retaining sheet-material, a ing socket associated with said side-wall with a part thereof below the level of said bottom and with a partthereof above the level of said bottom, and a passageway through said bottom and through saidside-wall, communication with the part of the suction-receiving socket below the level of the bottom.

12. A dispensing device suitable for, filling grease guns and the like and suitable for use as an original vendable merchandising package unit for containing more orf'less viscous greases and like fluids in transit and storage and for thereafter dispensing the same, comprising a reservoir body including side-wall and bottom formed of thin, form-retaining sheet-material, a suction receiving socket near the bottom of said reservoir and a tubular conduit of a length'at least as I great as the diameter of said suction-receiving socket and disposed at least level of said bottom,

partly beneath the operatively interconnecting grease guns and the like and suitable said suction-receiving socket with the interior of said reservoir body and afollower within said reservoir operatively related to' said suction-receiving socket and adapted to travel to the bottom.

13. A dispensing device suitable for filling grease guns and the like and suitable foruse as an original vendable merchandising packthe interior of said reservoir body.

-' l4. Aldispensing device suitable for filling grease guns and the like and suitable for e as an original vendable merchandising package unit for containing more or less viscous greases and like fluids in transit and storage and for. thereafter dispensing the same, including a sheetmetal reservoir body having side-wall and bottom, a su"-'-'-ion-receiving socket on the outside of said reservoir near the bottom thereof, a passageway from said socket to said reservoir; said suction-receiving socket being secured to said reservoir against relative displacement by fastening means in a zone spaced outwardly from said pase sageway and having a separate fluid-sealing con nection therewith in the zone of said passageway.

15. A dispensing device suitable for filling grease guns and the like and suitable for use as an original vendable merchandising package unit for containingmore or less viscous greases and like fluids in transit and storage and for thereafter dispensing the same, including a generally upright sheet-metal container body, a sheetmetal bottom near the lower end of said body, an outlet-opening in said body near the bottom thereof, a suction-receiving socket associated with the outside of said body at said outlet opening and having an interlapp ed crimped sealing seam therewith without any inward extension into the body above the bottom and without any obstruction to the free travel of a follower-plate to and into contact with the bottom and sealing means associated with said suction-receiving socket for sealing against the end portion of suction-producing means when received by said socket] 16.'A dispensing device suitable forfilling grease guns and the like and suitable for use as an original vendable merchandising package unit for .containing more or less viscous fluids in transit and storage and for thereafter dispensing the same, comprising a generally upright sheet-metal body,'a sheet metal bottom,'a suction receiving socket on the outside of said generally upright body near the bottom thereof, a fluid-conducting passageway'operatively connecting body and an externally operable shut-oil in said said socket with the interior of said upright passageway and movable transversely thereof and sealing -means associated with said suction-receiving socket for sealing against the end portion of suction-producing means when received by said socket.

., 17. A dispensing device suitable an original vendable merchandising package unit for containing more or less viscous fluids in for filling for use as ceiving socket for sealing against the end portion of suction-producing means when received by said socket.

18. A dispensing device suitable for filling grease guns and the like and suitable for use as an original vendable merchandising package unit for containing more or less viscous fluids in transit and storage and for thereafter dispensing the same, comprising a generally upright sheet-metal body, a sheet metalbottom, a suction receiving socket on the outside of said generally upright body near the bottom thereof, a passageway operatively connecting said socket with the interior of said upright body, and a shut-off associated with said passageway and operable through said socket and sealing means associated with said suction-receiving socket for sealing against the end portion of suction-producing means when received by said socket.

19. A dispensing device suitable for filling grease guns and the like and suitable for useas an original vendable merchandising package unit for containing more or less viscous fluids in transit and storage and for thereafter dispensing the same, comprising a generally upright sheet-metal body, a sheet metal bottom, a suction receiving socket on the outside of said upright body near the bottom thereof, a passageway operatively connecting said socket with the interior of said-body, and an externally operable pivotally mounted and rotatable shut-off disc disposed in operative relation to saidpassageway and in coaxial relation to said socket and sealing means associated with said suction-receiving socket for sealing against the end portion of suction-producing means when received by said socket.

an original vendable merchandising package unit for containing more or less viscous fluids in transit and storage and for thereafter dispensing the same, comprising a generally upright sheet-metal body, a sheet metal bottom, a suction receiving socket associated with said body near said bottom, a passageway operatively connecting said socket with the interior of said body, and an externally operable pivotally mounted rotatable shut-off operatively associated with said passageway and disposed with its axis line passing through said socket and sealing means associated with said suction-receiving socket for sealing against the end portion of suction-producing means when receivedby said socket.

21. A dispensing device suitable for filling grease guns and the like and suitable for use as an original vendable merchandising package unit for containing more or less viscous greases and like fluids in transit and storage and for thereafter dispensing the same, comprising agenerally upright body having a generally uniform horizontal cross-section throughout the major portion 'of its extent, and' having an outwardly T cally onto the upper flared upper portion, end of said body, a flanged lid fitting telescopiflaredend of said body, the innermost diameter of the flange of said lid'bea bottom near the lower ing of a diameter sufliciently greater than the diameter-of the major extent of the body, so that the lid of .one dispensingdevice may telescopically receive thelower end of the body of another like dispensing device of the same size without substantially reducing the diameter of the lower end of the body.

22. A dispensing device suitable for filling grease guns and the like and suitable for use as an original vendable merchandising package unit for containing more or less viscous greases and like fluids in transit and storage and for thereafter dispensing the same, comprising a container having a lid and having an outlet passageway near the bottom thereof, a socket operatively connected with said outlet passageway, and a vent opening extending through said lid and a generally annular elevated shielding portion surrounding said vent opening pressed out of said lid.

23. A dispensing device suitable for filling grease guns and the like and suitable for use as an original vendable merchandising package unit for containing more or less viscous greases and like fluids in transit and storage and for thereafter dispensing the same, including a reservoir body having side-wall and bottom formed of relatively thin and more or less form-retaining sheet steel, a-generally free-floating follower-plate disposed within said reservoir and adapted to rest on the top of the fluid content thereof, a suctionreceiving socket associated with the side-wall of said reservoir near the bottom thereof and dis posed generally exteriorly of said side-wall, a passageway extending through the side-wall of said reservoir and establishing communication between said suction-receiving socket and the interior of said reservoir, said passageway having an effective cross-sectional area substantially less than the cross-sectional area of said suctionreceiving'socket, and sealing means in said suction-receiving'socket for making a seal with the end portion of the suction-producing means -which may be applied to said socket.

like fluids in transit and storage and for thereafter dispensing the same, including a reservoir body having side-wall and bottomformed of relatively thin and more or less form-retaining sheet material and having a top, a follower adapted to travel on the top surface of the fluid content of said reservoir and adapted to travel toward the bottom thereof, a suction-receiving socket associated with the side wall of said reservoir body near the bottom thereof in operative relation to said follower, a passageway generally beneath the level of said bottom establishing communication between said, suction-receiving socket and said reservoir, said passageway having a generally shallow cross-sectional contour whose vertical dimension is substantially less than the diameter of said suction-receiving socket.

25. A dispensing device suitable for filling grease guns and the like and suitable for use as an original vendable merchandising package unit wall of said reservoir, an elongated conduit extending from a point near the center zone of the bottom of said'reservoir to said socket and having communication therewith, said conduit having an eflective cross-sectional area substantially less than the cross-sectional area 01' said suction-receiving socket, and sealing means in said suction-receiving socket for making a seal with the endportion of the suction-producing means which may be applied to said socket.

26. A dispensing device suitable for filling grease guns and the like and suitable for use as an original vendable merchandising package unit for containing more or less viscous greases and like fluids in transit and storage and for thereafter dispensing the same, including a generally upright reservoir body having side-wall and betemfm 1' tom "formed 01' relatively thin and more-or less form-retaining sheet-metal and having a top, all forming a generally closed reservoir, 9. suction-receiving socket mounted on an exterior wall 01, said reservoir secured thereto against relative displacement, a generally elongated conduit extending irom within said reservoir at a point near the center zone of the bottom thereof to said socket and having communication with said socket, said suction-receiving socket being secured to said reservoir against relative displacement by fastening means in a zone spaced outwardly from the juncture of said conduit and socket and having a separate fluid-sealing connection therewith in the zone of said juncture.

EDWIN P. SUNDHOLML; 

